PSV Eindhoven are ready to bide their time as they eye an August deal for Liverpool star Sepp van den Berg

Liverpool FC’s new head coach, Arne Slot, is facing a challenging situation as Sepp van den Berg has expressed his intention to depart from the club this summer. The young Dutchman, who has been on loan for the past three years, had an outstanding season with Mainz last year and is now determined to secure a permanent transfer this summer.

At Anfield, the competition for game time in the centre-back position is fierce, with established defenders like Virgil van Dijk, Jarell Quansah, Joe Gomez, and Ibrahima Konate already holding their ground. Van den Berg will have to work hard to secure his spot in this talented defensive lineup. Despite his impressive loan spell, it appears highly unlikely that he will be able to secure a spot in Liverpool’s first team. As a result, he is determined to explore other opportunities.

PSV Eindhoven, the reigning Eredivisie champions, are keen on acquiring Van den Berg’s services to strengthen their defensive lineup. Unfortunately, the potential deal has encountered a setback as a result of disagreements over finances. Liverpool has reportedly placed a price of £16.7 million on the Dutch defender, a sum that PSV is currently hesitant to match.

The Eredivisie giants are ready to make a substantial offer, but unfortunately, it doesn’t meet Liverpool’s valuation. The Dutch club sees Van den Berg as the missing link for their squad and is determined to pursue a transfer. They expect negotiations to be lengthy, possibly stretching into late August.

According to The Mirror, PSV’s patient approach presents a difficult predicament for Slot. Van den Berg’s dissatisfaction and desire for a move could potentially force Liverpool to reconsider their asking price in order to expedite the transfer. The defender has expressed his desire for a transfer, putting the Reds under more pressure to find a solution.

The 22-year-old certainly enhanced his reputation at Mainz last season. Sepp stood out as a reliable present at the back, aiding them in their successful quest to ward off relegation from the Bundesliga. He also won the most aerial duels (171) out of defenders in Europe’s top five leagues in 2023/24. Given his performances in pre-season training as well, it is no surprise that Slot and Liverpool are both keen to retain the defender.

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It would be wise for Liverpool to reconsider their valuation in order to speed up the transfer process. Retaining a disgruntled player can have a negative impact on team spirit and unity. In addition, if Liverpool can secure a reasonable fee for Van den Berg at this point, it could potentially free up funds for them to invest in other areas of the squad. However, the onus is on the Reds to ensure they call the shots in the negotiations.

PSV’s interest in Van den Berg is a strong sign of his potential value, and finding a compromise could be advantageous for everyone involved. With the transfer window in full swing, Liverpool are already in the market for a new centre-back. With Van den Berg ready to move on, they will be wise to sell him for a good price and then reinvest it back into the squad.